please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Old Plough was packed on my visit this Saturday afternoon. Many were eating in the dining area at the rear. But, there were a fair number of drinkers in the bar at the front. Shere Drop, London Pride & Hophead were the 3 real ales. Prices were steep. I get the feeling that it is regularly this busy, as there were certainly plenty of staff to keep everybody served. Nice and cosy place.
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They must have done a deal with Fullers now, as it's Fullers Ales, plus one guest. The guest is always going to be Surrey Hills Shere Drop (�3.30 a pint). During this visit, the Fullers were Pride, HSB and Seafarers. Apparently the Shere Drop is the most popular.
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The only pub in Stoke D'abernon that is on the road to Cobham. It has a fair sized patio and garden area. The manager must be a keen gardener because it is well kept and there are plenty of pot plants dotted around. The bar is in the bar lounge but extends into the extension but that has no pumps. The bar lounge is quite small but the extension almost doubles the size though it is mainly used for the sale of food. There is a good selection of real ales including Surrey Hills Shere Drop, Sambrook Junction, Sharps Cornish Coaster and Harveys Best Bitter when I was there. Although it was winter for my visit, it would make an excellent pub for the summer.
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I've been going here, man and boy, for about 10 years and I have to say, that it is now a very good pub. I haven't eaten there, but those who have say the food is good and, unlike a lot of new pub owners who jack the prices up, this lot have kept them very reasonable.
A friend reckoned he was ignored in the 'who's turn in it now?' queue for a drink and swore he'd never return but, on the whole, the staff, mostly young and not well versed in the ways of a pub, seem pretty good.
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Pub has now re-opened and is greatly improved from its rather tired, old self to a much nicer, roomier and welcoming place. The new interior is more spacious but it still keeps some of its traditional pub feel. (toilets are super too) Four hand pumps with good selection of ales, plus some choice in lagers, not the usual 3 bland suspects. Food looked super and priced for the area. Staff very friendly and numerous - well done to all involved.
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The pub is currently closed as it's undergoing a refurbishment...
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Visited for the first time today - decided to go on the most recent recommendations. Friendly service, well-kept Surrey Hills Shere Drop and a decent range of ales and wines. The Elmbridge Council food hygiene score outside the door is clearly a reasurance, and the food was good if unexceptional.
Ten minutes' walk from Cobham station - and plenty of outside space. Definitely summer potential.
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Went in here last week when I had a spare half hour having missed a train. Great to see the place thriving again after a desperate period of closure.
Looks like they've taken positive steps to rebuild the reputation with "New Chef and New Menu" advertised outside. Indeed plenty of people were partaking.
I didn't have time for food but tried one of the four real ales on the go (Exmoor Ale), can't remember the others, and it was well kept.
Hopefully it'll be "upwards and onwards" for the Old Plough.
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Rating clearly affected by previous problems noted below. Three beers on tonight: Deuchars IPA, Hogs Back TEA and Brass Monkey Bitter. Latter in very good condition and tasty. Worth checking out.
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Correction, �3.60 for a Fosters!!!
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I read in a local paper that the previous landlord was fined �20k for hygien issue's, shut for business shortly afterwards. Just re-opened after being closed for 3 weeks and it seems a little cleaner already, fruit machines removed and better selection behind the bar.
The main issue I had (prior to knowing about hygien) was the pricing, �2.60 for a fosters and �3.80 for a Kronebourgh, friends of ours wouldn't meet us at our 'local' because they refused to pay hefty London prices at a country pub. The food was also a overpriced.
Hopefully the new landlord will revise costs.
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It's now re-opened. We await to see if the new management will make it worthy of its place in the CAMRA guide.
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It's closed - surprise, surprise!!!!
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Appalling. Sat in the garden and ordered Sunday lunch with my wife and 5 month old son. As food arrived, noticed large pile of dog mess about 4 feet away. Moved to another table; noticed more dog mess. Wandered round garden; noticed 6 piles of dog mess. On enquiring whether he had dogs the manager confirmed yes, two Newfoundlands. When I asked if he though it acceptable to have them cr*pping all over the garden, where children were playing, he said he'd had a late night last night and hadn't noticed.
Am complaining to local council also. Avoid.
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Popped in last night for what is now a weekly visit. Beers on were Ascot Ales Posh Pooch, Sambrooks Wandle Ale, Waylands Dark Knight, Shepherd Neame Spitfire - which was selling well, and Courage Best. Tried the first three which were all �3 a pint and in good condition. You can sample the beers before you buy - just ask.
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What a shame! This pub had been popular with many locals for years but now you rarely see the them. I was a regular for a long time but now prefer to drive to a clean pub with efficient & friendly staff. One of us doesn't drink but that is preferable for an enjoyable gathering. The place is quite simply filthy & smells. The "Landlord" is a pleasant man who hasn't got a clue.
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It's OK. It's friendly and handy for the station. The beers were all drinkable and biased toward low strength ales for drivers I'd guess... but HE&C with rock hard yolks... ?
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Well I was there on Sunday, just dropped by before wandering home. Arrived and it wasn't too busy and had a pint of something I hadn't heard of which was OK, but by the time it was to go up and get another the whole place has just turned to complete chaos. My friend went to the loo and waited at the bar , for ages , easily 20 minutes before giving up as there seemed to be no organisation as it all fell apart. From what she said it wasn't that they were bad but somehow the management was lacking, which , from the comments about the previous landlord dying seem to hold up . Shame as it seemed a decent place and should have been better organised.
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For real ale enthusiasts this pub has potential as it has a good variety of ales on offer however.........when we order a pint of Ascot Ale it was cloudy -so I said to the barman 'this looks cloudy'.. to which he responded - 'sorry I don't know anything about ale', at which point he walked off! Perhaps he thought real ale should have bits of gunk floating in the beer. The bar manager was also made aware of the cloudy beer but chose to ignore me.
So judging from this little episode I suggest avoiding this place until the management get the customer service sorted out. AVOID.
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I cannot describe how badly this pub is run. As a local resident I have now stopped going in due to the despair I feel when seeing it so badly mis-managed.
The staff do not have a clue, the decor is dire, the pub smells terribley and has zero atmosphere. It is soul destroying to see what used to be such a fabulous pub being run into the ground. They have now resorted to having a 'bouncy castle' in the garden in an attempt to lure young families in - a sure sign that your trade is struggling ! The sooner new owners take over who know how to run a pub, the better !
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I met friends at this pub over the Easter weekend because we had visited it about two years ago and it was lovely. Well, we could not believe how much it had changed. The pub had a musty smell but we decided to overlook this and eat in the resturant - as we had booked a table earler in the day. When the waiter brought the wine glasses we told him that they looked dirty and he replied that 'the look' was because the glasses had been in the chiller. So I pointed out that food that was stuck to the glasses and it was at this point he changed to new glasses. I then - mistakenly - asked to use the ladies toilet - put it this way i don't think it had been cleaned for at least 4 months - uurrrgghhhhhh!!!! Unfortunately this was before we had eaten our food - which as you can guess did not get eaten. I would give this pub a wide berth until they can sort out whether or not they actually want to stay in business - I won't be surprised to see it on Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares!! I have rated the pub on the basis that the building is still standing otherwise it would get a zero!
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This pub has gone so far downhill in recent months it's hard to believe it's the same place I used to enjoy going to. When I went recently the place smelt stale, the food was poor, the toilets weren't working and the people in the bar were straight from a horror movie. May still be worthwhile for a summar drink in the beer garden but otherwise best avoided.
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Landlord Tim died suddenly recently. Our thoughts go out to his family.
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Beer was alright, can't remember what it was, there was a lot of confusion at the bar, and in my head, but it tasted malty. Decent atmosphere.
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Pleased to see this pub has made this year's CAMRA guide, as the landlord has made a tremendous effort to get in there - all credit to him.
The beer is ever-changing and he'll welcome suggestions on your favourite ale tipple and do his best to get it in.
There's good food there as well, although it's the beer that really makes it worth stopping by.
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Good traditional pub with large rear garden and also plenty of seating out the front. Not eaten here so can't comment on the food, but the ales are always from fairly local micros and well kept. Worth a look if in the area.
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This is a really nice pub to drink in, but the food is terrible. Real shame as this could be the best pub in cobham - all it needs is a new chef.
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Despite majoring on food this pub has a pleasant trad feel in the front bar. Usually can rely on a selection of local ales in good condition. The Pilgrim I had was excellent and good to see as the brewery is not well represented in this area. BQ 8.2. Staff helpful but check out the euro exchange rate..a deal if there ever was one!
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Some nice touches recently, beer range the best in the area by some way............
Seant - 28 Apr 2008 20:33 |
Seemed very good to me, good range of beers, attentive landlord.
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Came in here for a CAMRA meeting last Thursday. Landlord had gor Surrey Hills Ranmore in especially and they also had Hepworth Prospect, Hogs Back HBB, Harveys Best and Twickenham Naked Ladies. I had the first three which were all ok, particularly the Ranmore and the other two I was told were excellent.
Landlord even gave us some free bacon rolls.
Excellent.
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I've been drinking in Cobham for some 38 years. I can only agree with the comments about unfriendly barstaff. I cannot comment on the food as I rarely eat in pubs, but so as to keep my options open I pop in for a beer every few weeks hoping for improvemnts. As yet, no sign. Staff still to aloof and business-like to the point of being surly. Front of pub quite traditional though and garden ok. Beer passable. Prices relative to area.
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Having driven past this place for a while, thought it time I should pop in over lunch. What a disappointment. The pub is a complete dump. Dirty, dusty, in need of a desperate refurb and menu basic, all deep fried "in a basket" food or sandwiches. Wasn't busy when I went in and I can see why. Surly staff and general overall impression was dreadful. Give this a WIDE BERTH.
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WON'T BE GOING THERE AGAIN!
Since the new management one of my favorite pubs has been transformed into the most unwelcoming hostelry I've ever had the misfortune to use.
The week up to Christmas has been treated purely as a money making opportunity. The pub has been vastly over booked for meals, with one hour allocated per customer lunch.
Customers who have the cheek to arrive a little late are chastised, presented with over cooked meals and subsequently moved on to make way for the next party.
Presentation is appalling. 'Mine Host' is a bullying bigot who has no respect for his customers.
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Made first visit since it changed hands. It took a LONG time to be served despite being the only person waiting - I don't know what the young staff were doing.
Ale range seemed to be as good as previous and at �4 for a pint-and-a-half of Cottage Brewery beer, it was a reasonable-ish price. They don't seem to have upped the prices.
The clientele seemed to have changed - it was actually reminiscent of a youth club. But it was 10pm at night, so perhaps it's a bit different earlier on? I was pleased to hear they are still playing the same 1980s CDs!
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I'm still recovering from shock of an Desperado Landlord...
The guy was threatening to sack his decent staff over charity box issue...
The last time I went there!
anonymous - 6 Jun 2007 15:23 |
Been going to this pub for a few years. Have also noticed the recent change of hands, but I would say things are still going along nicely. Was in there yesterday for a late lunch and the food was a little slow to arrive, but still very well presented and cooked!
Do miss the front ourdoor heaters/parasols, which had to be removed after a bitter local complained to the council and had them taken down... goodness knows how they were causing offence or problems for anyone, but some people will always have something to complain about!
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Recently changed hands - seems to be experiencing a bit of upheaval - not necessarily for the better. Be interested to hear other comments.
anonymous - 21 Apr 2007 11:23 |
Rubbish restaurant type of place. Full of old biddies gumming on bland food.
anonymous - 13 Nov 2005 10:22 |
By far the best pub in the Cobham area, for my money. MarkC has got it spot on, I'd say. Nice pub, occasionally smokey, but decent selection of well kept real ales.
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This is a real find. An attractive pub with a largish beer garden, traditional yet comfortable interior and extra tables under heaters/parasols at the front. There is also a restaurant area for a more formal atmosphere although the menu is available throughout the pub. Can get smokey when busy and service at the bar is variable but the landlord is very friendly and the ever changing guest beers make every visit a new adventure!
MarkC - 27 Jun 2005 11:27 |
Gay friendly!
anonymous - 26 May 2005 14:29 |
This is a lovely looking pub inside and out. It has a nice beer garden with a bouncy castle for the kids, dogs on leads are welcome. The beer was in very good condition and they have two standard ales plus two guest beers at the time of visiting. The food was average for pub grub. My only reservation is the service behind the bar, one perticular barman was not very helpfull at all. I know the pub was busy but some manners go a long way.
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The pub is a great little find - expecially on summer evenings when you can sit out under the parasols (and heaters!) at the front and watch the commuters walking home from the station. Food menu good and reasonably priced - and the staff are fine!
LP - 7 Oct 2004 12:31 |
A cosy pub tucked away in the back streets of stoke d'abernon. Great location not far from the railway station. Good pub for a relaxed pint in the early evening. All the bar staff are south african so don't expect a great level of service. Expect to stand around for several minutes at the bar while they chat among themselves!
gearbox - 7 Jul 2004 14:19 |
